Shawnee County KS Archives History - Books .....Chapter X 1905 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/ks/ksfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com September 25, 2006, 4:41 pm Book Title: History Of Shawnee County, Kansas CHAPTER X. The Beginning of the City of Topeka-A Farm Changed to a Town-Site- Names of the Pioneers and Their Followers-The Chase Cabin-Organisation of the Town Company-Reminiscences of the Early Settlers- The First Fire-Description of the Country-Marking the Site of the First Building. The fathers of the city of Topeka were Cyrus K. Holliday, Fry W. Giles, Daniel H. Horne, Enoch Chase, Jacob B. Chase, George Davis, Milton C. Dickey, Charles Robinson and Loring J. Cleveland. Holliday was from Pennsylvania, Giles and Dickey from New Hampshire, Cleveland from Iowa, and the others from Massachusetts. All were attracted by the opening of a new country to settlement, and the opportunities thus presented for young men to engage in business. In the case of some of them, at least, there was the natural American love of adventure, and a patriotic desire to assist in making Kansas a free State. Most of them came through the instrumentality of the New England Emigrant Aid Company, of which Charles Robinson was the agent, with headquarters at Lawrence, Kansas. Mr. Robinson arrived in Kansas early in July, 1854; Mr. Holliday in October, 1854; Enoch and Jacob B. Chase, George Davis, Fry W. Giles, Milton C. Dickey and Loring G. Cleveland in November, 1854; and Daniel H. Horne December 2, of that year. TOPEKA'S INCEPTION. Enoch Chase, Jacob B. Chase, George Davis and Milton C. Dickey preceded the others to the town-site of Topeka, in the latter part of November, 1854 (about November 29th), although it is probable that Holliday and Robinson had visited the locality prior to that date. Mr. Holliday claims to have been on the site November 22nd, with a party of seven men, and that the idea of establishing a town originated at that time. The record shows that Fry W. Giles, Daniel H. Horne and Loring G. Cleveland left St. Louis in the fall of 1854 on the steamer "Lenora", bound for Kansas City. Accompanying the trio were Thomas G. Thornton, Timothy McIntire, Jonas E. Greenwood, George F. Crowe, William C. Linaker and Samuel A. Clark. This party walked from Kansas City to Lawrence, arriving there on Saturday evening, December 2, 1854. A meeting was held in that city on Sunday evening, December 3rd, participated in by the Giles party and Robinson and Holliday, at which the organization and location of the town of Topeka were definitely determined upon. The town was accordingly established on the 5th day of December, 1854. There is no controversy as to the date of the founding of the town, but there have been so many conflicting statements regarding the circumstances of the founding, the selection of the site and the precedence of the original settlers, that it is necessary to give here the personal recollections of some of the founders in order that complete justice may be done to all concerned. These statements are condensed from books, newspaper articles and personal interviews, and while there may be some variation as to dates and incidental circumstances, the general facts are in perfect accord. ABOUT ENOCH CHASE. In the year 1854 Enoch Chase was living in Boston, and engaged at his trade, that of an upholsterer. A circular issued by the New England Emigrant Aid Company fell into his hands, relating to affairs in Kansas, and he determined to make a personal investigation of the conditions in the new Territory. He reached the Kansas border in November* 1854. With eight companions and a wagon-load of provisions drawn by a team of oxen, he set out for Lawrence, arriving there November 24th. The party built a sod house for their own accommodation, and lived in it about five days, at the end of which time Enoch Chase, Jacob B. Chase, Milton C. Dickey and George Davis bought the interest of their associates in the load of provisions, and decided to try their fortunes at a point further west on the Kansas River, where it was thought a new town might be located. Upon their arrival at the point in view, according to Mr. Chase's statement, they selected the section of land (section 31), upon which the town was afterwards located. Each man took a quarter of the section, and a log house was built near the river, at a point now known as the northwest corner of Kansas and First avenues. While the house was being built, Mr. Dickey went back to Lawrence for supplies, and returned a few days later, bringing with him the other parties who had become interested in the new town. Mr. Chase and his three associates surrendered their section of land for town purposes, and took a quarter section each of the adjoining lands. Mr. Chase's quarter was near the present site of Washburn College. The section these four men surrendered became the property of the Topeka Town Association. Mr. Chase built a house on his quarter section, which he occupied with his family in March, 1855. In October, 1855, he moved into town, and later conducted a boarding-house. He built a large frame house on Sixth avenue, which was used as a hotel, and in 1857 he opened the Chase House, afterwards converted into the Capitol Hotel, and later into a part of the Stormont office building. He also built and resided in the stone house at the northwest corner of Sixth avenue, now used as a store building. COLONEL HORNE'S STATEMENT. Daniel H. Horne, a tanner and furrier by trade, left Massachusetts in November, 1854, and reached Kansas December 2nd, of that year, stopping at Lawrence. He attended the meeting of 13 men in Lawrence on the evening of December 3rd, at which the Topeka enterprise was suggested. Mr. Horne says that these men were acting for themselves, and that Cyrus K. Holliday, Charles Robinson and Milton C. Dickey were not included in the thirteen. The three last named gentlemen came into the meeting after it had been organized. Robinson and Holliday, whose business it was to direct the Kansas immigrants to places of settlement, spoke of the possibilities of a new town 25 miles west of Lawrence, and Mr. Dickey stated that the proposed town was ready for settlement, and that the necessary land had been obtained by himself, George Davis and Enoch and Jacob B. Chase, the last three being then on the ground. A committee consisting of Daniel H. Horne, Fry W. Giles, Loring G. Cleveland and Samuel A. Clark was appointed to inspect the proposed site. These four men proceeded at once to the point designated, arriving there Monday evening, December 4th, accompanied by Holliday, Robinson and Dickey. They found Enoch Chase, Jacob B. Chase and George Davis on the ground, and working on the log cabin above referred to by Enoch Chase. The party of 10 men slept in the cabin that night, or a part of the night, for it was partially destroyed by fire before morning. Robinson returned to Lawrence on Tuesday, after articles of agreement had been executed for laying out the town. Horne maintains that Charles Robinson was acting only as a guide for the party, and that he did not sign the articles of agreement for the organization of the town, but Robinson's name appears on the instrument, and Mr. Horne is evidently in error. In the negotiations over the site, Enoch and J. B. Chase, Milton C. Dickey and George Davis were given their choice of 160-acre tracts outside the town limits, for relinquishing the section upon which the town was to be erected, and they were likewise to have equal shares in the town company. The committee adopted a resolution that no other distribution of lots or claims should be made until the men who had been left at Lawrence should arrive. After their arrival a distribution was made by lottery, Jonas E. Greenwood securing the first choice and selecting a claim east of town, where the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe shops are now located. Greenwood immediately sold his claim to Thomas G. Thornton for $15. Daniel H. Horne obtained second choice, selecting a claim west of town, where he resided for many years, and which afterwards was sold for town-lot purposes. Of the party that came up from Lawrence to join the Horne committee, the following names are given: Thomas G. Thornton, George F. Crowe and his son, Zenas, aged 15 years; W. C. Linaker, Jonas E. Greenwood, Timothy McIntire, and a man named Williams-the last named disappeared after remaining a short time. After the destruction of the Chase cabin by fire, Daniel H. Horne and Loring G. Cleveland proceeded to erect a sod hut, which was occupied as a residence during the winter. The Chase cabin was also rebuilt and retained its prestige as the first building on the town-site. THE GILES HISTORY. In his book, "Thirty Years in Topeka," published in 1886, Fry W. Giles corroborates all that has been said of the transaction on the 5th of December. He notes the presence of the nine men whose names are above given, and states that on the morning of that day these men walked over the proposed town-site to a 'point midway between the Kansas River and Shunganunga Creek, and then returned to the Chase cabin to conclude the details of organization. Milton C. Dickey called the assemblage to order and moved that "the fellow with the white hat" (pointing to Colonel Holliday) be invited to preside. This was agreed to, and Mr. Giles was made secretary. Mr. Giles further states that Charles Robinson did not remain with the party that day or take any active interest in the proceedings. The Chase cabin is thus described in the Giles book: "Its dimensions were about 12 by 14 feet, and five feet in height at the sides. The gables were extended up some three feet above the sides. Poles upon these, supported, first a layer of brush, and then a thatch of prairie grass. At the west end, just outside of the logs, was piled a parcel of stones somewhat in the form of the fire-place of old, without mortar, and extending upward just above the roof, the logs of the gable forming the inside wall of the chimney. A banking of earth was thrown up against the logs on the north, and the interstices between the logs chinked with brush and plastered with mud. The only opening left for light or ingress was to the south, and a strip of cotton cloth hung there to keep out the cold. THE FIRST FIRE. "A few days after the little party had settled down to the necessities of the case, and got in a few supplies, it became apparent that the flames that roared up the chimney occasionally came in dangerous proximity to the thatch of the roof. As they straightened themselves one night upon the litter of hay that matted their cabin floor, and sought repose, it was remarked that the cabin would be on fire before morning, but with jesting and indifference the subject was dismissed, and in weariness all eyes were soon closed. They had not slept long, however, before a flash of light brought all eyes open again, and they gazed upon a mass of fire enveloping the brush and thatch, and burning straws falling upon the hay on which they lay. There was work to be done, and that right quickly. In one corner was stored flour, meal, beans, coffee, tea, clothing, arms, a keg of molasses and a keg of powder. To remove these was the important work in hand, and it was fortunate that the men had gone to rest without removing their hats and boots. One caught the keg of powder and hurled it down the declivity toward the river, while others seized what they could, and in a twinkling all except a few garments and a gun or two was safely strewn upon the prairie. The 'city' was in ruins, and the people thereof in anxiety queried how best to guard themselves against the cold during the night. They had a small tent, which they erected, and in vain attempts to sleep on the naked ground with their canvas alone over them, a part suffered through the night, while others secured such shelter from the piercing winds as they could in the thicket of brush near by." It will be observed that Mr. Giles records the fire as occurring several days after the arrival of the party from Lawrence, whereas Daniel H. Horne says it occurred on the night of their arrival, December 4th. Colonel Holliday and others agree that it was on the night of December 4th, but there is good reason to believe that the Giles account*is the correct one, in this instance. COLONEL HOLLIDAY'S ACCOUNT. Col. Cyrus K. Holliday's story of the founding of Topeka is best told in his own words: "On November 21, 1854, a party consisting of eight persons left the town of Lawrence for a trip up the Kansas River to its head, at the confluence of the Smoky Hill and Republican rivers. The party consisted of Charles Robinson, Rev. S. Y. Lum, Rev. Clough, Franklin Billings, George Davis, W. T. A. H. Bolles, John Armstrong and C. K. Holliday. During the trip three points were agreed upon as eminently suited for town purposes: First, the site of the present city of Topeka; second, that of Manhattan; and third, that of Junction City. Our party stayed at Tecumseh on the night of November 21, camping out, and left Tecumseh at 9 o'clock on Wednesday morning, November 22, 1854. Having crossed the Shunganunga and emerged from the timber, near what was afterwards known as Kline's grove, our whole party were in raptures at the beautiful conformation of land spread out before us, and its complete adaptation to the building of a city, so far as the new site was concerned. "Immediately after the return of our party to Lawrence, November 27 or 28, the remnant of the fifth party under the auspices of the New England Emigrant Aid Company arrived at Lawrence. These were the few who had the courage to remain-most of the party had started on their homeward trip without even entering the Territory. The remnant that remained consisted of Enoch Chase, Jacob B. Chase, Milton C. Dickey and George Davis. These gentlemen were counseled with by Charles Robinson and myself, and' informed about our trip up the river, and were advised and requested to take hold with us and help build a town at the point selected, near Papan's Ferry. After a thorough understanding of the whole matter, they consented to do so, and were fully instructed precisely where to go and what claims to take up; and to hold the same for a few days until Charles Robinson and myself, and such other proper persons as we could influence, could join them, when the town organization would be perfected. POSSESSING THE LAND. "The next day, November 29, 1854-the day of our first election for delegate to Congress-these four gentlemen went exactly as they were advised and instructed to do and took possession of the land we had indicated; and on the next day, November 30, 1854, they commenced the erection of the first house in Topeka, at the southwest corner of Kansas and First avenues, locally known as the Mill Block. A few days after, December 1 or 2, the remnant of the sixth party under the auspices of the New England Emigrant Aid Company arrived at Lawrence. The project of a new town near Papan's Ferry was also presented to them, and favorably received, and on Monday, the 4th day of December, 1854, the following members of that party, to-wit: Fry W. Giles, Daniel H. Horne, Loring G. Cleveland, and Samuel A. Clark, in company with M. C. Dickey, who had returned to Lawrence, and Charles Robinson and myself, came up from Lawrence to the new town-site, and took quarters at the new, unfinished cabin, with the party which had come up the preceding Wednesday. "The next day, Tuesday, December 5, 1854, articles of association were agreed upon, and duly signed, the limits of the town-site were indicated, surveys were arranged for, and the founding of the new city, which had been selected and located two weeks before, became an accomplished fact. Those present and participating in the founding of the city, as their names appear in the records, were M. C. Dickey, J. B. Chase, George Davis, C. K. Holliday, Fry W. Giles, D. H. Horne, L. G. Cleveland and S. A. Clark. Charles Robinson ably assisted in the inauguration of the new town, but declined to act as a member proper of the town company, deeming it unwise to do so, inasmuch as he was representing the interests of the New England Emigrant Aid Company. Taking advantage of his absence, however, he was promptly voted is as the tenth member of the Topeka association. THE COUNTRY 50 YEARS AGO. "On our trip of November 21, we took the California or ridge road from Lawrence, and passed west over the high prairies, with the valleys of the Kansas and Wakarusa to the right and left, skirted in the distance by dark fringes of timber. For a distance of six or eight miles there were numerous log cabins scattered along the road, but from this on to the few cabins at Tecumseh, the country was almost a wilderness. At Tecumseh there were probably a dozen log cabins. Leaving there we followed the river for a distance of five miles and came to the beautiful rise of ground where Topeka was to be located, although the name had not then been determined upon. We had other locations in view, as I have stated, at Manhattan and Junction City, but for the purposes of a little colony of New Englanders who were to be first provided for, Topeka was by far the better location. It was 25 miles west of Lawrence, the Kansas River was north with its rich bottoms and the Pottawatomie Indian reservation extended for 30 miles westward. The site itself was a beautiful one, and it possessed many of the requisites for the building of a city, stone, sand and lumber in abundance. In addition Papan's Ferry was already a well-known institution, where the two great trails of the continent crossed the Kansas River-the one from Fort Leavenworth and St. Joseph to Santa Fe and interior military posts, and the other from Independence and Westport, Missouri, to California and the Pacific Coast." THE FIRST HOUSE. In another part of his account Colonel Holliday speaks of the Chase cabin as being constructed of unhewn logs and covered with prairie sod, its dimensions being 12 by 13 feet, with a door so low that, persons entering or going out were obliged to stoop. Speaking of the occupancy of the cabin by 10 men on the night of December 4th, Colonel Holliday says: "In this rude hut the entire party slept for the night, but unfortunately the dry grass between the logs caught fire, and a good portion of the first house was destroyed. The next two or three huts were built entirely of sod, in which the first settlers of Topeka spent their first winter, which fortunately for them was of an extremely mild and pleasant character, perhaps uniformly more so than any winter that has succeeded it. After the sod houses, the most popular style of tenement was called the 'shake'. These 'shakes' were oak logs sawed in lengths of about four feet, riven in a manner similar to shingles, and made to look like clapboards." October 19, 1901, upon the completion of a large brick business block on the site of Topeka's first cabin, a tablet was placed in the wall of the front corner to mark the historic incident and locality. The exercises were in charge of the Topeka chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Mrs. A. H. Thompson, regent, presiding. The unveiling of the tablet was performed by two young misses, Elizabeth Holliday and Katherine Kellam, granddaughters of Cyrus K. Holliday. The inscription upon the tablet is in these words: "This building marks the site of the first cabin in Topeka, where the town company was organized, December 5, 1854-Dedicated by the Topeka Chapter, D. A. R., September 19, 1901." The exercises of the dedication were postponed one month on account of the death of President McKinley. The building was erected by Joab Mulvane, and occupied by the Parkhurst-Davis Mercantile Company. It was entirely destroyed by fire in February, 1903, but was rebuilt in 1904, and the stone tablet restored. Additional Comments: Extracted from: HISTORY OF SHAWNEE COUNTY, KANSAS AND REPRESENTATIVE CITIZENS EDITED AND COMPILED BY JAMES L. KING TOPEKA, KANSAS "History is Philosophy Teaching by Examples" PUBLISHED BY RICHMOND & ARNOLD, GEORGE RICHMOND; C. R. ARNOLD. CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, 1905. File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/ks/shawnee/history/1905/historyo/chapterx12nms.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.net/ksfiles/ File size: 20.6 Kb